I caught up with Julie, her husband Frank, and Steve and Jean Peterson, also of The Villages, in the winner's circle. They were making the trophy presentation to the winning jockey, Kevin Whitley, who was in the irons astride Saucy Actress, a 4-year-old mare owned by Bloomin' Rose Stable.

The 7-furlong race was named The Villages Travel.

Under Whitley's urging, Saucy Actress romped to the wire to return $10 for a $2 bet and triggered a 3-2 quinella, which helped make Julie Kanuch's day. The Kanuchs said it was only their second trip to the Tampa track, although they recognized some of the horses, jockeys and stables from ``back home.''

Back home is Vermilion, Ohio, where Frank retired from Bendix-Westinghouse.

``We used to go to the races at Thistle Downs [Cleveland]. I see that some of the stables from there are racing here at Tampa,'' Frank pointed out.

At the end of the 10-race program, the Petersons tallied up their winnings (and losses), arriving at a profit of $2.40. Hardly a princely sum - hot dog money, as they say. But the Petersons didn't care. It was an ``exciting afternoon,'' said Jean Peterson, noting that the busload of Villagers enjoyed a buffet luncheon and were assigned reserved seats in the clubhouse as part of the package deal.

``It's a nice group and a nice way to meet new friends,'' observed Peterson, who moved here with her husband from Seneca, Ill.

The scenic track at Oldsmar, which has been one of my favorite winter stomping grounds for years, was exceptionally crowded, even for a Saturday afternoon.

As one fan suggested, the St. Pete greyhound races had been canceled due to ``kennel cough'' - a viral respiratory illness afflicting the younger dogs. In fact, six of the canines had perished. As a result, the bow-wow betters had defected to the horse races for their parimutuel fix.

Interestingly, Tampa Bay Downs first opened in 1926 as the West Coast Jockey Club, built and promoted by Col. Matt Winn of Kentucky Derby fame. But that area north of Tampa Bay became a bucolic retreat and never blossomed into a thriving metropolitan area. During the Depression years, the track was shuffled from one owner to another.

During World War II, the site was used by the Army for jungle warfare training. Re-opening as Sunshine Park in 1947, it became a favorite hangout for sportswriters, athletes and celebrities attending spring training. Indeed, Sunshine Park received national attention when famed sportswriter Grantland Rice did much to publicize the track, terming it ``the Santa Anita of the South.''

My dad, who lived in St. Petersburg, knew Rice and was a regular at old Sunshine Park (later Florida Downs) until his death in 1975.

Dad was strictly a $2 punter. When a long shot popped up with boxcar payoffs, it's a good bet that Dad, with winning ticket in hand, would be making his triumphant march to the cashier's window.

He kept a shoe box full of losing tickets to show the IRS in the event he ever made a big score.

He never did.

If you go: My preferred route to Tampa Bay Downs is to head south on I-75, exiting at Land O'Lakes (Exit 58), then right (west) on State Road 54 for nine miles to U.S. Highway 41. Turn left (south) for a short distance, then bear right onto County Road 597 (Dale Mabry). Continue 5 miles to Van Dyke Road, then right (west) and proceed 5 miles to Gunn Highway (County Road 587) then left 4 miles to Race Track Road. Turn right on Race Track Road to Tampa Bay Downs.

Post time is 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is no live racing on Monday and Wednesday. Grandstand admission is $1.50. Seniors are admitted free on Thursdays.

Plenty of Dough: Ah, a punster's delight. When United Southern Bank opens its 11th office and first branch in Sumter County near The Villages on Feb. 1, all the bread won't be in the vault.

The Yalaha Country Bakery, operated by Guenter Herold, will occupy an office in the lobby as a retail outlet for its bread and pastries.

Jeannie Lazo is manager of the branch, located on U.S. Highway 27-441, just north of the Lake County line.